Frap Tools FALISTRI: Quadrature, Super Exponential Shapes and Patch Alchemy

FALISTRI is introduced as a module that keeps revealing new tricks, even years after its release. The video sets the tone by promising techniques that go beyond the obvious, focusing on how its controls and cross-patching options can unlock unexpected results.

From the outset, Frap Tools positions FALISTRI not just as a function generator, but as a versatile engine for complex modulation and sound design. The module’s dual generators, flexible time scaling, and ability to operate in both looping and one-shot modes provide a playground for those who like to experiment with signal flow and patching strategies.

The heart of the demonstration lies in FALISTRI’s quadrature mode, where the green generator is set to its hold stage and the yellow generator runs as an oscillator. By patching both in loop mode and setting their time scales to fast, the module produces a locked quadrature behaviour. This setup is then visualised on an oscilloscope, highlighting how the resulting voltage trajectories interact.

The real magic happens when the four-quadrant multiplier output is attenuated and monitored. The resulting shape closely resembles an ADSR envelope, with the hold stage influenced by the green attack time. By modulating the attack and release times, users can create envelopes with segments that are interdependent, offering alternative modulation sources that can be routed elsewhere in a patch for more dynamic control.

Moving into more experimental territory, the tutorial explores how cross-patching can transform linear signals into super exponential shapes. Prompted by a question from the Frap Tools Discord community, the video demonstrates how to achieve curves that are even more exponential than the built-in exponential mode.

The technique involves patching the attenuated output of the yellow generator into the second input of the four-quadrant multiplier, effectively multiplying the signal by itself. Monitoring this output reveals a dramatic shift from a linear to an exponential shape, and by further manipulating the decay time via cross-patching, the curve becomes even steeper.

One caveat is that this method alters the frequency of the resulting LFO, but with some adjustment, it’s possible to match the timing to previous settings. The comparison between the modulated and unmodulated shapes underscores just how much character and variation can be injected into modulation signals with a few clever patch cables.

As the tutorial wraps up, Frap Tools reflects on FALISTRI’s enduring appeal. Even after five years, the module continues to surprise with its depth and flexibility, inviting users to discover new techniques and share their findings with the community.

The video closes with an open invitation for viewers to contribute their own patch ideas and requests for future content. It’s a fitting end for a module—and a manufacturer—that thrives on creative exploration and the collective curiosity of the modular synth world.